Professional services

Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer for the University of Sussex, Tim Westlake has responsibility for all of the Professional Services divisions. Please refer to this organisational chart [PDF 266KB] to find out who reports to Tim and their areas of responsibility.

Professional Services staff provide expertise across the University to support the delivery of our strategic aspirations. The divisions aim to provide exceptional support to schools and departments, and services directly to students; alumni and staff; to other clients of the University, including the local and regional community; and to a range of partners, friends and supporters.

Sussex Food

Professional services departments

We provide support to Schools and departments, and services directly to:

students, alumni and staff

other clients of the University, including the local and regional community

our range of partners, friends and supporters.

Academic Registry

We provide support services to students and staff in schools and departments at Sussex.

The department manages the University's links with external bodies such as UCAS, local education authorities, Student Loan Company, Higher Education Statistics Agency and Training and Development Agency, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and professional and statutory bodies (PSBs).

Our services includes:

admissions for undergraduate, Masters and PhD degrees for all students

academic appeals and student complaints

student registration exam timetabling and e-assessment

management of University Teaching and Learning Committee

business management of University quality assurance processes

student progress and assessment

central support and coordination for academic programme development

external partnerships

academic policy and procedures, including assessment regulations

timetabling of teaching and managing room bookings

maintaining student records (current and past) and management of registration

production of student transcripts and degree certificates

management information

support for teaching and learning for staff and students

technology-enhanced learning

UKVI compliance.

Offices

Admissions Office, Academic Development and Quality Enhancement Office, Student Systems and Records Office, Research Student Administration Office and Technology Enhanced Learning Office. The Academic Registrar's Office can be found at Bramber House Level 1.

Campaigns and public affairs

We support Sussex by raising funds for the University and its work from philanthropic sources. We also work with alumni of the University and ensure that the University is part of the lives of all its alumni.

Our services include:

philanthropic fundraising (including major gifts, trusts and foundations, legacies, and the Annual Fund)

alumni relations

university corporate events

graduation.

Contact

We are responsible for all aspects of financial planning and management for Sussex. Our services include:

financial services – accountancy, payment of suppliers, administration of insurance, invoicing of debtors, procurement of goods and services, collection of income from debtors, investment management, liaison with statutory authorities on financial matters (including accounts, returns, most of which are audited)

assistance in the identification and exploitation of commercial opportunities or cost reduction processes in line with the University's strategic aims, and in the negotiation of the best terms for the cost of supplies to the University

assistance in developing ideas and plans to facilitate expansion and further developments within the best practices of public sector stewardship of resources.

Contact

We combine strategic planning for the University of Sussex with corporate governance activity.

Our services include:

providing support to the University's senior management to assist in the delivery of strategic priorities and compliance requirements

undertaking strategic planning, incorporating management of the annual planning process and work on resource allocation

liaising with the Higher Education Funding Council for England, including the submission of statutory returns

protecting the University through effective corporate governance and compliance processes, including administration of the business of the University's governing body, records management and data protection

supports the work of senior University committees including Council, Senate, Court, Strategy and Resources, Nominations, Audit and Research Strategy.

The Director of Health and Safety is part of the Planning, Governance and Compliance team. Health, Safety and Wellbeing services are delivered by Sussex Estates and Facilities.

Offices

Contact

We support the growth of the University of Sussex's research effort, and its enterprise and knowledge exchange activities.

We also support the University in working with business, government and the third sector and, where appropriate, to secure the University a beneficial interest in any commercially valuable results of its research.